Pre-Match Notes

After coming away with a 4-0 win against Argentina, and qualifying for the Knockout Stages, the U.S. Women’s National Team will now face Mexico in their final group stage match. The USWNT currently tops Group A with six points, followed by Mexico, Argentina, and the Dominican Republic. The U.S. is hoping to add another victory to their belt with a win against Mexico. However, Mexico, who is coming off an 8-0 win against the Dominican Republic, has something to prove and will not be going down without a fight.

When it comes to Mexico’s Women’s National Team, they’re not a team the U.S. can take lightly. In their matches against Argentina and the Dominican Republic, Mexico displayed strong possession and control in the midfield, great connection and support in the attack, and superb finishing in the box. Mexico is a team with a strong attack that can get forward with great pace and efficiency, and can be dangerous when it comes to counterattacking and transitions.

Some may question Mexico’s ability in their match against Argentina, last Tuesday, where both teams failed to score. Mexico was awarded a penalty in the first half but was unable to convert. The match would end in a scoreless draw. Despite the draw, Mexico proved to be the better team, able to maintain control of the midfield, get their attack forward, and create more crosses and services than Argentina.

When it came to the U.S.’s last match against Argentina, once the U.S. got settled into the game, the team maintained complete control of the match. The attack was able to get forward on the right wing without much challenge, they were able to create plenty of crosses and services, and overall, there was solid and strong support in the attack, along with good movement, touches, and connection from the midfield. However, one of the areas that needs more improvement is finishing, and connecting for that final touch in the box.

When it comes to this match against Mexico, I’m predicting that there is going to be more back and forth between both sides. While the U.S. may be able to keep the most possession in this match, Mexico is likely to battle for possession in the midfield, or they’ll sit back and allow the U.S. to come at them, and just wait for the right moment to launch a counterattack.

With players like Kiana Palacios, Diana Ordóñez, María Sánchez, and Jacqueline Ovalle in Mexico’s midfield and attack, Mexico would be able to get their attack off very quickly. A way the U.S. can counter this is by applying pressure to Mexico’s midfield and attack. This is where Lindsey Horan, Korbin Albert, Sam Coffey, and Emily Sonnett would have to step up more in order to maintain control of the midfield, and prevent Mexico’s midfield and attack from getting forward. The U.S.’s backline and defense haven’t been tested much in their last two games, however the U.S. backline will need to exercise caution, especially when it comes to Mexico’s attack and pressure.

When it comes to the U.S.’s attack, this is where that connection and cohesion in the attack is going to come into play, and where we need to start seeing more consistency. If the U.S. wants to be successful in this match, there needs to be good support in the attack, they need to connect where it counts, and they need to finish their chances. No doubt, the U.S. will be able to create plenty of crosses, touches, and services in the box, but finishing their chances, whether in the box or from outside, is going to be key in this match.

Additionally, the U.S. attack could also opt to apply pressure to Mexico’s backline, and force turnovers in the backline whenever Mexico tries to play from the back. Argentina tried this strategy against Mexico in their meeting, and while Mexico was able to maintain their composure, it made the backline more on edge. This could be a strategy the U.S. could try, especially since they need to up their intensity, and should try a quicker, more aggressive and ruthless approach against Mexico.

Line Up Notes

Starting Eleven: We have Alyssa Naeher in the goal. For defenders Abby Dahlkemper, Becky Sauerbrunn, Crystal Dunn, and Emily Fox. For midfielders Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle, and Sam Coffey. For forwards, Lynn Williams, Sophia Smith, and Trinity Rodman.

Substitutes: Jenna Nighswonger, Naomi Girma, Alex Morgan, Jaedyn Shaw, Midge Purce, Tierna Davidson, Olivia Moultrie, Emily Sonnett, Korbin Albert, Casey Murphy, Casey Krueger, and Jane Campbell.

Overall, it’s an alright lineup. I am a little surprised Purce isn’t starting, especially with her outstanding performance against the Dominican Republic. I think Purce would’ve been great to start in this match due to how well she can get down the right wing, cut into the box, and get around defenders. Her services and crosses have also been good as well, and I could see her connecting with Williams and Rodman in the attack. Since Purce is available off the bench, we could see her come on in the second half.

On the upside, we’ll get to see the attacking chemistry between Rodman, Smith, and Williams, and see how far that has come along. In the past, Smith and Rodman both expressed wanting to develop their connection and chemistry with one another in the attack. As mentioned earlier, it’s time for the U.S. to start developing consistency in the attack, and with their attacking partnerships.

When it comes to the U.S.’s midfield, I am a little surprised, Kilgore didn’t go double six with Sonnett and Coffey in the midfield, but it’s also understandable as to why Kilgore went with Lavelle over Sonnett; Kilgore wants there to be more of a focus on the U.S. getting their attack forward, and having Horan and Lavelle both pressing and getting forward, would provide good support in the attack, along with a quicker and more aggressive approach. It’s going to be interesting to see how well Coffey will be able to control the midfield, granted she’ll also have support from Horan as well. Against Mexico, there needs to be a balance between both offensive and defensive play in the midfield, and Coffey and Horan are needing to watch out for Mexico’s counterattacks and transitions.

When it comes to the U.S.’s backline and defense, this is where they’ll be tested the most. Mexico has great pace and can get their attack forward. The U.S. has to watch out for through balls and passes behind the backline. They have to keep up with runners and loose balls, and the team as a whole has to be able to defend against set pieces and corner kicks. Additionally, the backline has to mark players and close down any gaps and spaces in the box. Much like having support in the attack, there needs to be support in the defense as well.

While many are predicting this match to go in the U.S.’s favor, a win isn’t going to come easy. Mexico is going to be a good challenge for the USWNT. Regardless of result, whether it be a win, loss, or draw, this challenge is going to be essential for the U.S. team’s growth and development.

First Half Notes

Mexico 1-0.

This was a very intense first half. There was good back and forth between both sides, however it appears as though Mexico has been more successful in transition, and getting their attack forward. The backline and defense are definitely getting challenged in this match, and are currently experiencing some pressure that they’re not used to. While the U.S. was able to completely dominate the Dominican Republic and Argentina, this is the first time, in this tournament so far, where the backline is being challenged and put under pressure.

A mistake and miscommunication from Sauerbrunn and Naeher would lead to Mexico’s goal. The backline needs to do better when it comes to marking players, chasing down Mexico’s long passes and services, recovering possession, and shutting down Mexico’s attack. Additionally, they need to do better playing under pressure.

The same could also be said for the U.S.’s midfield and attack. In this first half, the U.S. looked overwhelmed in the midfield because they were facing heavy pressure from Mexico. Because they’re not used to this pressure, the midfield and attack are struggling to connect and create chances. This is clear when the U.S. tries to transition and get the ball through the midfield, only for it to be recovered by Mexico, or for the U.S. to lose it while transitioning.

The challenge for the U.S. in this match is going to be figuring out how to play under pressure, how to create stability and control in the midfield, while under pressure, so that the attack can get forward and create services. Another challenge is the U.S. needing to find their attacking rhythm in the second half, but ultimately, this will go back to the U.S. needing to figure out how to play under pressure, and create stability for themselves when it may not always be there.

Second Half/Closing Notes

Mexico Wins 2-0.

The second half was a little better than the first, in the sense that the U.S. was able to get their attack forward, however there was still no connection in the attack. In general, there wasn’t much change from the first half, in order for the U.S. to have an impact in the second half. The midfield and attack were still struggling to connect, and deal with Mexico’s pressure throughout the match.

Playing under pressure is something the U.S. needs to figure out, because other teams, much like Mexico, are going to challenge the U.S. and put them under pressure. Additionally, the U.S. needs to figure out how to play when they don’t have much control or possession, or when possession is nearly split, like it was in this match.

Another problem for this U.S. team is the backline. The U.S.’s failure to recover possession, and shut down Mexico’s attack early, is concerning, especially when it lead to Mexico’s second goal. The U.S. backline and defense, along with the midfield and attack, were going to get tested in this match, and unfortunately, they were unable to step up and meet the challenges that were expected of them tonight.

This loss, while disappointing and frustrating to the U.S. team and fans, shows the flaws and areas that need more improvement. The U.S. can come away with high scorelines against Argentina and the Dominican Republic, however matches against teams like Mexico, who are going to fight and challenge them, are what the U.S. needs if they want to develop and get better as a team.